TheBridge profile: Laura Edelson

Name: Laura Edelson

Current city: New York, NY

Current job: PhD Candidate, New York University

Laura is a lead researcher on “An Audit of Facebook’s Political Ad Detection and Policy Enforcement”, released Dec 9, 2021 and "A Standard for Universal Digital Ad Transparency”, released Dec 9, 2021.

Past job: Software Engineer, Palantir

Q. How are you currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? We engage in primary research and also work to educate the public and regulators/legislators about the implications of our research.

Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Innovators need to listen to policymakers (and the public) to understand the climate in which their work will happen. Too often, innovators focus on their own needs and wants and assume that others feel the same way. Great ideas are ones that help the most people.

Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Innovators are often more in touch with what is possible. Understanding what the range of options are will help policymakers make the best choices.

Q. Can you describe a skill you have carried throughout your career that has always proved to be valuable? Data analysis skills are pretty darn useful. But most skills, per se, are not as valuable as a willingness to work hard, and ability to listen and learn from feedback, and the guts to send an email asking for help.

Q. Job advice in three words? First, show up.

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Bryant Park

Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? The History of Rome Podcast.

Q. Everyday is probably different, but are there certain skills you think are essential to your job? I think my job is about making connections. My research is guided by an understanding of what questions are socially important to answer, and my ability to inform the public is based on my knowledge of my field of research.

Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Kindness. Most other skills are learnable, but being a nice person is really important in the workplace.

Q. What's one piece of advice you are still trying to master? Take breaks! I'm still bad at that.

Q. Do you have a morning routine? Morning ride, Breakfast and generally wrangling a kid and a dog, and try to get to my desk (at home) by 9

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